A Professional’s Unexpected Trick to Enhance Your Door’s Nighttime Security

Additional precautions to consider:
No method guarantees total protection, as some readers have pointed out: “What if someone breaks a window to get to the key?”
This is a legitimate concern, but this type of intrusion carries more risks and generates noise, which discourages most criminals. Furthermore, the majority of burglaries target doors that are poorly locked or have outdated security systems, rather than those offering even minimal resistance.

The main objective is not to create an impenetrable door, but to make it difficult enough to breach to deter potential intruders.

An unexpected benefit in an emergency:
Key in a lock during an emergency

Leaving the key in the lock also presents a surprising advantage in critical situations.

Faced with a sudden household accident—such as a gas leak, a fire, or heavy smoke—having the key already in place allows for an instant evacuation without wasting precious seconds searching for it in the dark or in a panic. A person who experienced a gas explosion shares their experience:

“Having the key in the lock allowed me to get out immediately.”

A detail that seems insignificant but which, in some cases, can become crucial for your safety.

Best practices for a peaceful night’s sleep

Hold the key in the lock after turning it a quarter turn.
Reinforce your door with a multi-point lock or a door reinforcement system.
Avoid leaving keys visible from the outside, especially near windows.
Consider installing an alarm system or a security camera to deter intruders.
Always check all possible access points (windows, patio doors, garage door) before going to bed.
Ultimately, protecting your home sometimes begins with a simple, almost invisible action—turning your key slightly before getting into bed.